Bradley Skeete is coming back fighting after the first defeat of his career as he prepares to challenge for the vacant WBO European welterweight title.

The 27-year-old from Tooting faces Georgian Anzor Gamgebeli on Saturday, and victory could see him get back on track after a points loss to Frankie Gavin last year.

Skeete went into the bout with Gavin for his British welterweight title and the vacant Commonwealth welterweight title with a 18-0-0 record.

However, Skeete narrowly lost out in what he says was the biggest bout of his career – but he is undeterred ahead of this weekend.

He said: “It was a big fight, the biggest of my career. I thought I’d done enough to win, but now I just want to brush myself down and get back to winning ways.

“I didn’t get beat up and I didn’t get knocked out, it was a close points decision that lots of people said could have gone either way.

“I have put the decision behind me and confidence is sky high and I know I can get back to winning ways.”

Skeete is focused on winning the European welterweight title believing it will set him on the right track after the loss.

A win would not only give him a European championship as there is far more at stake.

He said: “It would be great to win the title and it would set up my year nicely.

“It would get me on the WBO rankings and I want to push up those rankings and be able to challenge for a world title.”

His short-term aim is the European welterweight title, but his long-term goals are winning the British title before moving on to World Championships.

The fight will be at the O2 Arena and it is the type of venue Skeete wants to compete in as he seeks to take the next step.

He said: “I’m going to be nervous, but I want to thrive on those nerves. I want to be involved in big fights in big venues so I’m looking forward to it.”